Hot pursuit: US troops cross the Durand line

Tired as they must be with Pakistan’s continuing failure to capture Taliban and al Qaeda in the Waziristan area, it appears that the US forces have adopted a cheekier, more forward approach.

It is reported that they ‘strayed’ into Pakistani territory again, for the second time this week, even as Pakistan again extended the deadline for foreign militants to register in return for amnesty.

Dozens of US commandos drove in four military vehicles from Afghanistan into Pakistan at about 7.45 pm. Reports said that two apache helicopters, four APCs and two fighter jets provided cover to the intruding soldiers.

Tribal sources in Lawara claimed that the US and Afghan forces were in possession of maps which clearly indicated the boundary between the two countries and that the intrusion was intentional, adding, it was aimed at “sending a message to the tribesmen”. The intrusion of US troops has caused unrest among the local people and has sent a wave of fear among Wazir tribesmen, locals said. [The News/Jang]